CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- To bring the information and communication technology (ICT) course closer to all sectors, the regional office of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) launched the Localized Accessible Knowledge and Inclusive Platform (Lakip) program last Tuesday, Feb. 13.

“Lakip represents groundbreaking steps towards bridging the digital divide in our region and empowering communities through knowledge in their own language. Through this collaboration between DICT, Coursebank, and the local government of Cagayan de Oro City, we’re opening doors for individuals who may have felt excluded due to language barriers,” said DICT Regional Director Sittie Rahma Alawi.

She added that the program aims to offer a wide range of ICT courses that are translated into Bisaya promote equal educational opportunities, and foster inclusivity by removing language barriers that may hinder an individual’s access to learning.

DICT aims to empower learners ranging from the elderly, the youth, persons with disabilities, and indigenous groups with essential ICT skills that are needed in this modern age.

Conceptualization of Lakip

The LAKIP program was created when Aimee R. Marcos, the president’s sister, suggested a learning program in Bisaya to be used as a mode of teaching since it is considered the second most widely used language in the country.

“In Bisaya, you now bring in a whole new sector of our community that is able to learn. We are now giving the keys to education to people who probably want to learn but are very intimidated. Why should anybody be intimidated by learning when it will make them better?” Marcos said.

With the vision at hand of creating a new ICT learning program using the vernacular of residents, Marcos then tapped various teachers in the city to assist the DICT-10 and Coursebank with the translation of the program course to be offered using the Lakip platform.

As the Lakip is being fully conceptualized, Marcos further emphasized that she wants the program to be implemented not just in Cagayan de Oro City but rather replicated in other parts of northern Mindanao and, in the future, cascaded on the Visayas island.

“Education is a gift, and it should be a right; it is a right for everybody who wants to learn. Everybody should be given the tools to be able to compete in the global economy, which is now based on technology. I want to be able to show the rest of the world that Mindanao can fight, be part of, and compete on the global level, on the global scale that it should be on,” she added.

Pilot implementation

Prior to the formal launch of the program, DICT-10 conducted a pilot implementation from January 29 to 31 at the Cagayan de Oro City College in Barangay Agusan in this city.

A total of 21 young people participated in the initial implementation, of whom 10 are from the Nahilaran Tribe in Barangay Dansolihon, six were from the Muslim youth community, and five were out-of-school youth. The learners underwent a three-day course in Microsoft Office productivity tools.

Seeing the success of the said training, DICT and Coursebank are now set to offer the program to the rest of the youth in Cagayan de Oro City and eventually to the rest of northern Mindanao.

Currently, the program consists of 14 courses, namely Microsoft Productivity Tools, Canva for Graphic Design, Navigating Google Workspace, Introduction to Data Privacy, Digital Citizenship and Civility in the Workspace, Designing Presentation Slides, Principles of Design, Everyday Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Digital Life and Work, Functional Composition, Digital Innovation in Government, Analytics for the Public Sector, Digital Marketing Channels and Funnel, Trends in Art and Design, Digital Transformation 101: Reimagining Business, Fundamentals of Marketing, and Social Media Marketing.

“Lakip is not just a program; it is a promise of a future where everyone has a chance to shine. As we unveil these initiatives, I invite you to embrace Lakip, explore its resources, and unlock your own potential. Let us write a new chapter for northern Mindanao, fueled by a transformative power of technology accessible to all,” said Alawi as she encouraged the public to take part in the program.

For further information on the program, DICT-10 invites the public to visit www.coursebank.ph/lakip. (JAKA/PIA-10)